Paradip is one of the Major Ports of India and is the ain out-let and in-let of the sea-borne trade of the eastern part of the country spread over States such as Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, adhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.The natural resources and industrial products of this wide spread hinterland are immense and the value of the mineral trade of the country passing through the Port of Paradip is considerably higher than many other Major Ports of India.

The Port was started as a mono-commodity port for export of Iron Ore, However, with addition of berths, the Port handles bulk cargoes like Thermal Coal, Coking Coal, Chrome Ore, Manganese Ore, Sei-Processed Ore cargo like Charge Chrome, Ferro Chrome, Ferro Manganese, Limestone, Hard Coke, Ingots and Moulds, Billets and steel mmaterials, Dead burnt agnesite, Scrap, Fertilizer, Food grains, and Feefer cargo at the 5 general cargo berths.The Port started handling containers and transhipent of petroleum products in 1991. One berth has been earmarked for handling POL products. Another berth is being used by Paradip Phosphates ltd to import their raw materials viz Phosphoric Acid, Ammonia, Sulphur, Rock Phosphate, Mechanical loading of Thermal Coal began in 1994.The varied nature of cargo handled bears testimony to the efficient and personalized services of this Deep Water Port.

COMMUNICATIONS;

The Port is connected with Broad-gauge Railway system of the South Eastern Railway and is also served by National Highway No.5A.The port is a part of the PORTNET-a Closed user Group (CUG) under the NICNET-provided by the National Informatic Centre(NIC)The PORTNET facility provides E-mail facility between the ports, Ministry and the indian Ports Association (IPA). Gateway facility with international networks is also available through NIC and VSNL.

The computerisation of the entire port operation and documentation has been taken up as the first stage in EDI and will bne fully operational during 1999-2000.Port users can have terinal facilities to this Port Operation System through modem.

PORT ESTATE:

The Port estate extends over a sprawling area. Some portion of the Port estates has bneen lesed out for construction of office/residential buildings of concerns directly connected with activities of the Port. The Port Trust has also a schee of providing ready built office/residential accomodation on 15 years Advance Rental Deposit Scheme. Details of the scheme could be had from the Estate Office of the Port.

Port Twonship:

The Port Township has a population of about 80.000. The Port Trust staff colonies are located in Madhuban, "V" Point,Sector-21 and Atharbanki  areas. The Port Trust have also provided required accommodation for office/residence purposes to various users of the Port in the staff colonies.

Water Supply:

Adequate water is supplied to the Port Township from the extension of the Atharbanki Canal. The Port has the facility for supplying filtered water upto 2.5 million gallons a day.

Hospital:

The Port Trust has a modern 62-beded hospital which has adequate number of qualified doctors and specialists for treatment of Port Trust employees and Cargo Handling Workers. The hospital is also used by others based at Paradip Port. Besides this, dispensaries at Atharbanki and Sector-21 and a First-aid Centre inside the Cargo Berth Area are also run bny Paradip Port Trust.Thesre is also a 10-beded hospital run by the Government of Orissa.

Post Office:

There are four Post Offices in the Port i.e. the main Post Office at Sector-21,Madhuban and Atharbanki areas. The main Post Office has public telephone call facilities.

ADMINISTRATION:

The Port of Paradip,a body corporate under the Major Port Trusts Act, is administered by a Board of Trustees set up by the Government of India and comprises the Chairman appointed by Government of India, who also presides over the Board of Trustees and Trustees nominated by Government of India from various users of the Port such as Shippers, Shipowners, Government Departments concerned and also labour. The day to day administration is carried out under general supervision and control of the Chairman, assisted by the Deputy Chairan and various departmental heads.

LOCAL HOLIDAYS:

Charter-party holidays as laid down by the Cuttack Chamber of Commerce every year.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS

To cope up with the buoyant traffic, a no.of capacity yielding developental works have been taken up by the Port. A Rs.587 crores ADB-aided project for handling 20 million tonnes of thermal coal per annum is in progress. This includes construction of 2 berths withmechanised loading facilities and receipt, unloading and stacking of coal through bottom discharge type of wagons. The project is scheduled to be completed by july,2000.